Scent is one of the most important things to consider when you welcome guests into your home. Think about it, certain scents can bring back memories from decades ago. I still think of roll-on glitter from the Claire's jewelry store when I smell specific kinds of vanilla scents. It was my favorite accessory as a 10 year-old banned from wearing real makeup. Scent and memory are more closely tied than maybe any of our other senses.

That's why it's so important to make a great first (or third) impression when someone enters your home. The scent they pick up will be associated with their experience and with you personally.

With so many scents to choose from, there's a lot of room for error. I've listed a few key scents and what emotions they commonly evoke. You should always find scents that you enjoy, but do take consideration into what others might be geared toward as well.

Cedar

This scent is commonly found in candles and reed diffusers because of its tendency to be both universal and warm. When you blend with other lighter notes, cedar can be calming and be reminiscent of times spent in the woods, camping, and nature in general. Humans are wired to calm down and relax when among nature, so this could be a great scent to set a warm and inviting mood in your home. Does this sound like your kind of scent? Try our Amber Oak candle which has notes of cedar, bergamot, and lavender. The perfect blend of musk and floral scents.

Lavender & Eucalyptus

If you've ever stepped foot in a spa, you'll have been met with these two scents at the front door. I love using lavender, eucalyptus, and peppermint in bathrooms and guest spaces. Our Lavender candle isn't your basic lavender - it also has notes of vanilla, lemon, and bergamot. 

Citrus

Is there anything more energizing than fresh squeezed orange or slices of lemon? For me, citrus brings back memories of summer and long days spent in the sun. I love to burn a citrus candle in my entryway during the summer months. It's not too heavy or cozy, and adds an element of whimsy. Our Marmalade has notes of orange peel, cloves, and apples. It's a great balance of sweet and earthy. I highly recommend this in the spring and summer months.

 What are some of your favorite scents to welcome guests into your home? We'd love to know in the comments!

It might not even be on your radar, but your cleaning routine is contributing a ton of trash. I don't know about you, but I got fed up spending a ton of money on short-lived supplies - especially when I couldn't recognize a single thing on the ingredients list. As time went on, I started feeling guilty about the amount of plastic and paper towels I was pitching in the trash. I needed to find a better way to tidy up my home.

After a lot of research and trial and error, I found some of the best items out there that are sustainable, natural, non-toxic and easy to get your hands on. Below are my top products (some are even DIY!) to get you started with a zero waste cleaning regimen. 

Tools

Investing in zero waste or eco-friendly cleaning tools is one of the most satisfying things I did throughout my journey. I was no longer tossing broken scrubber brushes or sponges after a few uses. Everything I'm recommending below can be purchased on Amazon and I've included things that I myself personally use.

For sponges, I've recently started using Twist brand. They're made from plants, they're hand sewn, and you can toss them into your dishwasher to disinfect and re-use. They're also incredibly inexpensive - just $10 for 6 reusable sponges. When you think about how much those little green sponges are that you toss after one encounter with a greasy pot or pan, it's quite shocking!

One item that I have always undervalued was a good bristle brush. I had a hard time finding one that didn't scratch my pots and pans or just simply fall apart mid wash. I've invested in two of these Lola natural bristle brushes - one for cleaning dishes and one for scrubbing sinks and bathtubs. Best part? This cleaning powerhouse lasts 5 years! For just under $10, I'd say that's a pretty wise investment.

There's little I enjoy less than cleaning toilets. I'm sure most of you out there feel the same way. Do yourself a favor and get this Tampico bristle toilet brush. Stash it in a simple metal pail in a closet and forget all about it.

If you're like me, you might be slightly obsessed with keeping things organized around the house. I just ordered this metal caddy which houses all my brushes (minus the toilet brush!) and cleaning products - and I love it.

Sprays and Soaps

I tend to consider frugality a daily challenge - sort of like a video game. Since becoming more mindful of my household's impact on the environment and what certain products can do to our health, I've also become more aware of how much I spend on a regular basis. Anytime I can find a healthier and cheaper alternative, I'm in. You're probably thinking you don't have time to make your own cleaning products because you're super busy, but it literally takes minutes and sets you up for success for days, weeks, and months if you want.

All-purpose cleaning spray

I use this stuff on kitchen counters, bathroom sinks, and tubs, and pretty much anything that needs a good wipe-down. 

Invest in a few glass spray bottles and take a piece of masking tape to label the contents.

Basic cleanup spray

1 cup of water

2 Tbs. liquid Castille soap

Essential oils of choice (I love this lemon from Now Foods)

Mix everything together and you're all set!

Another favorite of mine is taking orange peels (or any citrus for that matter) and soaking them in a mason jar full of vinegar for a week or two and pouring that along with one part water into a spray bottle. 

Need extra scrubbing power? When we moved into our 200-year-old house there were more than a few rust stains on porcelain sinks and tubs. This is a bigger project than Castille and vinegar can tackle. Create a paste with baking soda and water (should be about the consistency of toothpaste) and leave on your tough spot for about an hour. Come back with your new Lola scrubber and you should be able to see results with a little elbow grease.

Last but not least - glass cleaner! This recipe seemed a bit strange to me, but honestly, it works just as good as your typical name brand cleaner. Use old newspapers to wipe it clean and your windows and mirrors will sparkle!

1/4 cup white vinegar

1/4 cup rubbing alcohol

1 Tbsp. corn starch

2 C warm water 

1Tbs. liquid Castille soap

Mix this together in one of your new spray bottles and it will last you at least a few rounds of cleaning.

I go through the little effort to make my own cleaning products because it's minimally invasive on the environment and costs pennies to make. 

I hope you found some useful information in this roundup of tools and homemade cleaners. Please share your own recipes and product must-haves in the comments below!

Not only am I passionate about non-toxic, natural candles - but also the products I use each and every day, which is why I've rounded up some of my favorite skincare products and brands that boast natural, non-toxic, and organic ingredients. 

I should start out by stating that it took a lot of trial and error before I really found the products that are working for me now. With that said, I change products seasonally so this isn't always the go-to list. My skin type is sensitive, dry, and I do suffer from the occasional adult acne outbreak (hormones!). This is what's working for me now.

Tata Harper's Hydrating Floral Essence

I am a pretty serious Tata Harper fangirl. Not only are the ingredients pure and non-toxic, but Tata Harper herself is in the trenches designing each formula and even grows some of the plant materials on her farm in Vermont. To hear her talk about her story and how she develops her line is inspiring as a business owner dedicated to creating better consumer products. The price tag is higher than your drugstore face cream, but it's well deserved. They pack a punch and you get the added comfort of feeling certain the products are safe. Check it out on the Tata Harper site.

Goop's Luminous Melting Cleanser

This stuff is seriously a life saver for my dry skin. It may seem like a small fortune to spend on cleanser, but it will last a long time and you'll never have that "squeaky clean" feeling that ends up causing redness and flaking. I use this twice a day and it is the first step in my life-long mission in trying to achieve "dewy skin." You can order it here on Goop's website.

100% Pure Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream

Non-toxic, natural skincare doesn't have to cost a fortune and that's proved with 100% Pure's Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream. I gravitate toward anything that promises to wake me up and de-puff. This little miracle in a tube does both. Pick it up on the Detox Market's site here.

Josh Rosebook's Advance Hydration Mask

As I've mentioned, my skin is naturally parched and I need serious moisturizers to keep it looking hydrated. Josh Rosebook's mask boasts aloe vera and numerous plant oils which means it's super natural and will work with your cells to deliver moisture. Pick it up on the Detox Market here.

What are your favorite products? Tell us in the comments.